Cryptanthus ‘Red Star’

Cryptanthus 'Red Star' , also known as “Earth Star,” is a tropical plant in the Bromeliaceae family, prized for its spectacular leaves, arranged in a flat, compact rosette. The leaves are long, narrow, slightly wavy, and have serrated edges, and their color ranges from deep red to more subtle tones of pink and green. Due to its small size and vibrant appearance, it is perfect for decorating desks, shelves, or terrariums.

Care

1. Light

• It prefers bright indirect light, which helps maintain the intense colors of the leaves.

• Medium light tolerance makes it suitable for lower-lit indoor spaces, but colors may become more faded.

• Avoid direct sunlight, which can cause burns on the leaves.

2. Temperature

• It grows best at temperatures between 18-26°C.

• The plant does not tolerate cold; maintain the temperature above 15°C.

• Make sure it is protected from cold drafts or sudden temperature changes.

3. humidity

• It prefers a moderate to high level of humidity.

• If the air is too dry, periodically spray the leaves with water or place the plant on a tray of pebbles and water to increase humidity.

• It is suitable for terrariums, where humidity levels are naturally higher.

4. Watering

• Keep the soil slightly moist, but well-drained.

• Water the plant when the top layer of soil is dry.

• Avoid standing water to prevent root and base rot. Use rainwater or non-chlorinated water if possible.

5. ground

• Use a well-drained soil, such as a Bromeliad mix or a cactus soil mix with perlite.

• Good drainage is essential to prevent waterlogging.

6. Fertilization

• Fertilize the plant once every 4-6 weeks during the active growth period (spring and summer) with a weak liquid fertilizer for Bromeliads.

• Reduce fertilization during the dormant period (autumn and winter).

7. Replanting

• Repot the plant only when it becomes too crowded or when the offshoots are large enough to be separated.

• Use a small pot with good drainage and fresh soil.

8. Trimming and maintenance

• Remove dry or damaged leaves to maintain a neat appearance.

• The seedlings can be separated from the mother plant when they reach a third of its size and have their own roots.

Pot diameter 5 cm
Attention! The color of this plant varies depending on light level, fertilizer, substrate, etc.

In the cold season, the plant is sold as in presentation picture 1 - with green leaves.